Collapsible core form



July 26, 1960 J. G. FRANCIS, JR

COLLAPSIBLE CORE FORM Filed Jan. 2'7, 1958 ma TJ 0 mm A R F & N an O J I[All/llI/l/l/ I Ill/Ill NVOE W 1 g j r ATTORNEYS Patented July 26, 1960fice 2,946,111 r I H COLLAPSIBLE CORE FORM John G. Francis, Jr.,Detroit, Mich., assignor to Thoma Steel Forms, Inc., Detroit, Mich., acorporation of Michigan I Filed Jan. 27, 1958, Ser. No. 711,511 Claims.(Cl. 25-128) The present invention relates to a collapsible form, andmore particularly, to a form designed to be an internal form in thecasting of a crypt or the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a collapsible innerform comprising a pair of side plates movable toward and away from eachother, in combination with means for moving said side plates from aseparated vertical operating position to a collapsed position in whichthe side plates are relatively closer together and are inclined fromvertical planes to occupy less overall height.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collapsibleform as described in the preceding paragraph, in combination with a topplate normally supported by the side plates in operating position andloosely connected thereto to permit relative approach and separationbetween said side plates and to cause inclination of said side' platesto movesaid top plate downwardly. a a v It is a further object of thepresent invention to provide a collapsible form as described in theforegoing, in combination with an end plate of less height than saidside plates and connected thereto by means'elfective to plates. y

, It is a further object of the present invention to provide acollapsible form as described in the preceding paragraph, in combinationwith actuating means effective to product simultaneous approach betweenthe side plates, downward movement of the top plate, and upward movementof said end plate. i

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as thedescription proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing, illustrating a preferred embodiment of theinvention, wherein: i

Figure l is a perspective view of the form with parts broken away.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary section on theline 2-2, Figure l. I

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section on the line 3-3, Figurel.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary section on the line 4-4, Figurel. g

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view. of a corner ofasideplate. rH

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section on the line 6--6, Figure l.

The collapsible form is intended as the inner form of a pair of nestedforms adapted to be-used in pouring a casting, such for example as aconcrete casting; The specific form illustrated herein is adapted to beused in pouring a crypt and it ismade collapsible so'that after theconcrete has set, the inner form may be collapsed to smaller dimensionsthan in its extended operative position and withdrawn from the completedcasting.

In general terms the form comprises a pair of side plates, at top plate,and an end plate. The top plate rests on the upper edges of the sideplates. The side plates are movable inwardly toward each other to aninclined position in which their upper edges are at a lower positionthan when the side plates are vertical. Means are providedinterconnecting the top' portions of the side plates and the top plateso that upon downward moveelevate said end plate upon approach betweensaid side ment of the top portions of the side plates the top plate ismoved downwardly. Connections are also provided between the side platesand end plate effective to elevate the end plate slightly when the sideplates are moved inwardly so that the end plate will clear the bottom ofthe crypt or the support on which it was formed.

Referring now to the drawings, the collapsible form comprises sideplates 10 and 12, a top plate 14, and an end plate 16. The upper edge ofthe side plates 10 and 12 are turned inwardly to provide horizontallyextending flanges '18 upon which the top plate 14 rests as best seen inFigures 4 and 5. Similarly, the end portions of the sideplates "10 and12 are also turned inwardly to provide the flanges 20.

In like manner, the top plate 14 is provided at the ends thereof withdownwardly turned flanges 22. In order to accommodate the downwardlyturned flanges 22 at the ends of the top plate 14 the corner portions ofthe side plates 10 are cut away as indicated at 24 in Figure 5.

Means are provided to establisha loose connection between the topportions of the side plates 10 and 12 and the top plate 14 so that whenthe side plates are inclined inwardly, the top plate 14 is positivelymoved downwardly. This means includes brackets 26 having elongated slots27 welded or otherwise, rigidly secured to the underside of the flanges18 which are provided at the top edge portions of the side plates 10 and12. The top plate '14 is suitably apertured to receivebolts 28 whichextend-through the slots 27 in the brackets 26. The elongated slotprovides a loose connection which permits the upper edge portion of eachside plate to move inwardly but nuts 30 carried by the lower end of. thebolts 28 engage the underside of the brackets 26 and the heads of thebolts will provide positive means for pulling the top plate 14downwardly.

The end plate 16, as best seen in Figure l, is of some what less heightthan the side plates. In order that inward movement of the side platesmay slightly raise the end plate into a position of clearance, brackets32 are provided- Which extend inwardly from the inner side of theflanges 20 at the ends of the side plates 10 and 12. The brackets 32 maybe welded to these flanges as best indicated in Figure 3. inclinedcamming slots 34 and welded or otherwise secured to the inner surface ofthe end plate 16 are pins 36 which are received in the slots. Thus, asthe side plates are moved inwardly the end plate is moved slightlyupwardly so that it will clear the floor as the collapsi-- ble form ismoved out of the casting.

Means are provided formoving the plates between collapsed position andextended operating position. This means, as illustrated in Figure 1,comprises bars 40 and 42 welded or otherwise rigidly secured to theinner surfaces of the side plates 10 and 12 adjacent the upperportionthereof. A second set of bars 44' and 46 are rigidly secured as bywelding to the inner surfaces of;

the side plates 10 and 12 adjacent the bottom edges thereof. A firstactuating bar 48 is provided substantially midway between the bars 40and 42-and is connected thereto by three sets of links each comprising alink 50 and a link 52., The link 50 is pivotedto the bar 4Q"as indicatedat 54, and the link 52. is pivoted-to the bar;

42 as indicatedat 56. Gusset plates 57 are provided to is pivoted asindicated at 66 to the actuatingfbar 48,

A second or lower actuating bar 68 is provided intermediate the bars 44and 46 and is connected thereto b'y' 'a Thebrackets areprovided withelongated plurality of sets of Links each comprising a link 69 and alink 70 corresponding respectively to the upper links 50 and 52. Again,an operating lever 72 is provided which is pivoted as indicated at 73 toone of the bars, as for example the bar 44, and which is pivoted at 74to the lower actuating bar 68. Again, rigid abutment blocks 76 areprovided to determine the position of the links 69 and 70 when the formis fully extended.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the operating lever 64 iseffective to move the actuating bar 48 toward the open end of the formand thus to cause the upper portions of the side walls and 12 to moveinwardly. In like manner, the lever 72 may be operated to move thebottom portions of the side walls inwardly. It will be observed that thelinkage system comprising the bar 48, the links 50 and 52, and the lever64, is entirely independent of the system comprising the bar 68, links69 and 70, and lever 72. Accordingly, the side plates 10 and 12 may bemoved inwardly to an inclined position by more movement of one of thelevers 64 and 72 than of the other. The inclined portions of the sideplates 10 and 12 will of course cause them to occupy less spacevertically and since the lower edge of the plates is supported, it willhave the etfect of causing the upper edge portions thereof to movedownwardly. This downward movement of the upper edge portions of theside plates 10 and 12 is employed through the medium of the brackets 26and bolts 28 to cause corresponding downward movement of the top plate14.

It may be mentioned at this time that considerable force may be requiredto move any one of the plates out of engagement with the surface of thecasting because of some tendency for the plates to adhere and alsobecause the cast surface is in such intimate contact with the plate thatinitial separation after setting of the casting is opposed byatmospheric air pressure.

It will of course be appreciated that the elongated slots 34 areprovided with sufiicient clearance with respect to the pins 36 as topermit the required inclination from the vertical of the side plates 10and 12.

Attention is also directed to the fact that, as best seen in Figure 4,the width of the top plate 14 is somewhat less than the spacing betweenthe outer surfaces of the side plates 10 and 12 when they are inextended operating position. This means that when the side plates aremoved inwardly, the lateral edges of the top plate have clearance withrespect to the side surfaces at the interior of the casting. Similarly,as best seen in Figure 1, the height of the end plate 16 is. somewhatless than the normal vertical height of the side plates 10 so thatupward vertical movement of the end plate 16 is permitted to clear thefloor or support, without interfering with the undersurface of the topof the casting. In like manner, as seen in Figure 3, the width of theend plate 16 is somewhat less than the spacing between the outersurfaces of the side plates 10 and 12 so that the end plate may bewithdrawn through the open end of the casting without engaging the innersurfaces of the side walls thereof.

The drawing and the foregoing specification constitute a description ofthe improved collapsible form in such full, clear, concise and exactterms as to enable any person skilled in the art to practice theinvention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A collapsible inner form comprising relatively movable generallyvertical side plates, a general vertical end plate of less height thansaid side plates, and a generally horizontal top plate, actuating meansinterconnecting upper and lower portions of said side plates to movesaid side plates inwardly from an outer vertical position to an innerinclined position in which the upper edge portions of said side platesare moved downwardly, and cam means directly connecting said end plateand side plates operable to raise the end plate slightly upon inwardmovement of said side plates. V

2. A collapsible inner form comprising relatively movable generallyvertical side plates, a generally vertical end plate of less height thansaid side plates, and a generally horizontal top plate, actuating meansinterconnecting upper and lower portions of said side plates to movesaid side plates inwardly from an outer vertical position to an innerinclined position in which the upper edge portions of said plates aremoved downwardly, means directly interconnecting the upper edge portionsof said side plates and said top plate operable to move said top platedownwardly upon inward movement of said side plates to the innerinclined position, and cam means directly connecting said end plate andside plates operable to raise the end plate slightly upon inwardmovement of said side plates.

3. A collapsible form comprising a pair of side plates movable towardand away from each other from an operating position in which said platesare vertical and spaced apart a maximum amount and a collapsed positionin which said plates are closer together and inclined to reduce theiroverall vertical dimension, actuating means connected to said sideplates to move said plates between said operating and collapsedpositions, an end plate of less height than said side plates locatedbeyond the ends of said side plates, cam means connecting said sideplates to said end plate and operable to raise said end plate in aclearance position upon inward movement of said side plates.

4. A collapsible form comprising side plates, an end plate and a topplate, said end plate being of less height than said side plates, andmanually operable means for moving said side plates inwardly to aninclined clearance position, said means comprising a first leveractuated linkage connecting the top portions of said side plates and asecond lever actuated linkage connecting the lower portions of said sideplates, said linkages being independently operable to provide forinclining said side plates in collapsed position to move the topportions of said side plates downwardly, direct connections between topportions of said side plates and said top plate to cause downwardmovement of said top plate upon the aforesaid inward movement of saidside plates, and cam means connecting said side plates and said endplate to cause upward movement of said end plate on inward movement ofsaid side plates.

5. A collapsible form comprising separate generally vertical side andend plates, and a horizontal top plate, linkage connected only to saidside plates and operable to move said side plates toward and away fromeach other and to incline said side plates inwardly, cam meansinterconnecting said side plates and said end plate to effect limitedvertical movement of said end plate upon movement of said side platestoward each other, said side plates having top edge portions, said topplate having side edge portions overlying the top edge portions of saidside plates, and means directly connecting the top edge portions of saidside plates to the side edge portions of said top plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS887,814 Johnson May 19, 1908 1,016,284 Meek et al. Feb. 6, 19121,060,188 Jacobson Apr. 29, 1913 1,096,047 Miller May 12, 1914 1,233,567Furry July 17, 1917 1,242,092 Wazbinski Oct. 2, 1917 1,249,942 FisherDec. 11, 1917 1,925,221 Watnoske Sept. 5, 1933 2,306,722 Fox Dec. 29,1942 2,578,310 Lager Dec. 11, 1951 2,733,495 Lucas Feb. 7, 19562,827,683 Benart et al Mar. 25, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 226,604 GermanyOct. 6, 1910

